Arsenal legend highlights current team’s biggest problem

Former Arsenal hero Emmanuel Petit believes Arsene Wenger’s squad lacks strength as he assesses the Gunners ahead of their clash against Monaco, the Mirror reports.

The Gunners head in to their Champions League last 16 tie against Wenger’s former club in good form, having won eight of their previous nine games in all competitions.

Due to such attacking riches at the Emirates, the North Londoners have the ability to create chances at will and really put their opposition under the cosh.

However, Arsenal legdnPetit believes that despite their evident attacking abilities, Wenger’s current side lack a bit of the hard stuff and feels their surplus of pretty players could be their downfall.

“You have to remember the defence that we had,” said Petit. “You could rely on Seaman, Adams, Keown, etc. We knew how to travel. When we had to play, we knew how to do that too,” he explained.

“Let’s say that the Barcelona of keeping the ball has overtaken that style. But today, you have to be more direct and pragmatic. You see that with Germany or Real Madrid.”

“Arsenal have very pretty players but there are not ‘killers’ in this team. At that time, we were tough, we did not play to look good.”

Do Arsenal lack steel?

Many Premier League observers have spoken of the Gunners’ need to reinforce their squad with leaders – most notably at centre-back and midfield.

Yet, over the past couple of months, there has been evidence of a new found confidence and swagger about Wenger’s men which suggests that the days of being overawed and bullied are a thing of the past.

The introduction of Francis Coquelin in midfield has been a major plus, but the experience offered by centre-back partnership Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny is just as important.

The current spine of the team is as strong as it has been for a good number of years and that extra bit of class Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil add could see this Gunners team achieve something big this season.

Tom Thorogood

I'm a 27 year old language teacher and writer based out in Mexico with a passion for football and swimming. I like to focus on the top European Leagues, especially La Liga, as well as the footballing development in Central and South America. My favourite teams include Derby County, Barcelona and Jagaures de Chiapas.